7 Secrets That'll Turn T.J.Maxx Into Your Shopping Paradise

If you’re a money-saving queen, then you know exactly where to go to get your designer handbag fix on a budget: T.J.Maxx. But did you know there are a few secret ways to save even more? Here are some of our favorite Maxxinista-approved tricks for getting the best deals at T.J.Maxx.

1. The best time to shop is on Wednesday mornings.

While new product shipments arrive at T.J.Maxx on a daily basis, the best time to sneak in for a guilt-free shopping spree is on Wednesday morning. If you’re wondering how we discovered this tidbit of (very) important information, you can thank Kyle James, a frugal blogger for the savings website Rather-Be-Shopping.com.

“Like a fine wine, you need time to take in the aroma of the clothing deals and browse through the merchandise without interruption,” James writes. “Your best bet for finding new markdowns is on Wednesday mornings, right when the store opens. Also, most T.J.Maxx locations get new arrivals three to five days a week, so the selection is constantly changing.”

2. Pay attention to price tags, especially the yellow ones.

T.J.Maxx is full of colorful price tags, but the yellow tag is the one you want. Yellow tags indicate the lowest sale price for an item. Here are other tag color schemes to watch for.

White tag: Regular price

Red tag: Clearance

Blue tag: Clothing items with a coordinating piece

Purple tag: Clothing items from “The Runway” collection

(Photo Credit: Getty Images)

3. Take advantage of T.J.Maxx’s free rewards program.

The TJX Rewards Access program keeps customers in the know. Rewards members receive news about new arrivals, store openings, private parties, free giveaways, and more. To make the deal even sweeter, members also receive one free sweepstakes entry each time they shop at T.J.Maxx or one of its sister stores (Marshalls and HomeGoods).

4. Ask an employee to do a markdown check on your items.

If you come across an employee marking clearance items with a price gun, don’t be afraid to ask for a markdown check on your items. If you can’t find an employee with a price gun, just walk over to the checkout counter and have a sales associate scan the item for you. If your item has been in the store for more than a month, it’ll qualify for a markdown.

5. Use a price comparison app to ensure you’re getting the best deal.

See something you like? Download a price comparison tool and scan the barcode to make sure you’re getting the best deal. Some of the best price comparison apps include ShopSavvy, BuyVia, Pricena, and Quick Scan.

T.J.Maxx sells some of the exact same handbags and clothing items that your local Nordstrom or Macy’s carries. This isn’t a coincidence.

“Let’s say that a clothing manufacturer has enough denim to make 65,000 pairs of jeans, but Macy’s only buys 50,000, then off-price retailers like TJ Maxx will come in and buy the extra 15,000 pairs for a steep discount and pass the savings along to you,” James explains.

“I don't live near a T.J.Maxx anymore, but when I did, sure, if it was something I liked I'd check the expiration date and buy it,” City Data user irotoo wrote in response to the online forum question: Do you buy edible stuff at T.J.Maxx? “I got some really nice gourmet cocoa mixes, all kinds of teas and jams, some olive oil, and chocolates. There was nothing wrong with any of them, and I'm super picky about freshness.”

(Photo Credit: Getty Images)

7. Checkout the pet supply aisle and bring Fido along!

Is T.J.Maxx pet friendly? Absolutely! As long as your pooch is on a leash or in a shopping cart, you’re good to shop. Plus, pet supplies are incredibly cheap.